What's New: The 2014 Fiat 500L aims to build on the success of the sub-compact 500 coupe in America—but in a bigger, five-door hatchback form. With four trim levels (Pop, Easy, Trekking, and Lounge) available, Fiat hopes there is a 500L for every consumer.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

The 500L design borrows from the popular 500, along with Fiats of the past, on the outside. Inside, it's much more restrained than the quirky layout of its smaller stablemate. The 2014 500L borrows the engine and some suspension bits from the 500 Abarth, though in the 500L, the aim is less performance than comfort and capability.

Tech Tidbit: Chrysler's Uconnect infotainment system makes its Fiat debut here. A 5-inch touchscreen is standard, with a 6.5-inch version is available. Both can be equipped with a rear-view parking camera.

Driving Character: Sporting the same engine that makes Fiat's Abarth so much fun, the 500L has a certain pep that is lacking in some of its competitors. There's plenty of power to make the Fiat a competent, capable everyday subcompact family car. You'll have maximum fun with the six-speed manual, while the dual-clutch automatic seem more confused, hunting for gears on occasion. Electric-assist steering further dampens the thrills; it's predictably uncommunicative, though that probably won't deter the 500L's target demographic.

Favorite Detail: To go along with the 42 percent increase in interior space compared with that of the ordinary 500, Fiat designed a panoramic A-through-D-pillar glass enclosure that, along with the optional dual-glass-panel sunroof, gives the driver a full spectrum of sightlines. The option to have glass covering everything between the belt line and roof provides the 500L with one of its best design elements.

Driver's Grievance: Driving the 2014 500L back-to-back with its closest competitor, the Mini Countryman, reveals the 500L's most glaring flaws as a driver's vehicle. Though the Fiat 500L's engine feels more willing than the Mini's, its steering isn't as good, and the Fiat's suspension damping comes up short on keeping the car settled. You expect more from the Abarth pedigree to show through on the Fiat. Also, the 500L makes the Countryman look handsome by comparison.

Bottom Line: It's hard to imagine that the world was waiting for a bigger, roomier version of the fun subcompact Fiat 500. Still, everyone thought the same thing when Mini started making bigger cars, and those have been a hit. Why shouldn't Fiat try the same formula?

Yet the 2014 Fiat 500L is a strange little thing. The wraparound glass is a nice touch, but the flare over the front fenders screams Aztek—and no one wants to think about that. At 20 percent longer than the 500, the Fiat 500L seems a little wrong on first sight. The interior of the 500L is comfortable, though, and on the road its turbocharged four-cylinder performs well, even if the suspension and steering let it down a bit. The 2014 Fiat 500L doesn't handle like the Mini Countryman—driving one right after the other can make the 500L feel a bit cheap. But the Fiat is a cheaper ride, costing about $3000 less comparing base models.

It's there that the 500L might find success. If you're in the market for a competent subcompact with interior space and don't need it to feel as fun as the Mini (or you don't want to spend the extra cash), it's hard to say why the Fiat 500L's deficiencies would turn you off.